An electrifying re-examination of one of the twentieth century's greatest unsung power players
When Pamela Churchill Harriman died in 1997 the obituaries that followed were scathing - and
often downright sexist. Written off as a social climber her glamorous social life and infamous
erotic adventures overshadowed her true legacy. Much of what she did behind the scenes to shape
20th century politics on both sides of the Atlantic remained invisible. That is until now:
with a wealth of fresh research Sonia Purnell unveils for the first time the full spectacular
story of how Harriman left an indelible mark on the world today. There is practically no-one
in twentieth century politics culture and fashion whose lives she did not touch. Her influence
began at age twenty when her father-in-law Winston Churchill engaged her as a "secret
weapon" during World War II wining dining and seducing Americans over to the British cause
against Hitler. It continued later in the US where she hand-picked Bill Clinton from obscurity
and vaulted him to the presidency. It extended further over five decades and two continents
influencing figures like the Kennedys Nelson Mandela Truman Capote Gianni Agnelli Kay
Graham Gloria Steinem and Frank Sinatra. Written with the novelistic richness and
investigative rigour that only Sonia Purnell could bring to this story full of sex politics
yachts palaces and fabulous clothes Kingmaker sets out Harriman's rightful place at the heart
of recent history. Praise for A Woman of No Importance: 'A meticulous history that reads like
a thriller' Ben Macintyre 'Riveting' Mick Herron
